South Korea has ‘pragmatic’ plan for phased denuclearisation. But will North bite?

AI Summary

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung proposed a pragmatic phased plan for North Korea's denuclearization during a speech at the UN General Assembly. However, analysts remain uncertain if North Korea will accept the step-by-step approach, which includes easing sanctions in exchange for stopping nuclear programs.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s proposal for a phased approach to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes is a pragmatic response, analysts say, but prospects for gaining its arch-rival’s acceptance remain uncertain. In a keynote speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Lee laid out a long-term, step-by-step sequence for pursuing the ultimate goal of North Korea’s denuclearisation. He had called for Washington to ease sanctions in return for North Korea stopping its nuclear...